by Kathy Penney

Created on: May 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Teeth are precious and need looking after on a daily basis.

The easiest and most important way to look after your teeth is to clean them every day, at least twice, once in the morning and again before you go to bed. Use a good toothbrush, manual or electric, and change it as soon as the bristles lose their texture and quality. This means at least every three months, if not sooner. Use a good quality toothpaste; this does not mean it has to be expensive many regular brand names are excellent and these days come in various formulations to meet every need. Most of them now also provide one for sensitive teeth and even for gentle whitening. Do not wet your brush before putting the toothpaste on it because this will dilute it and lessen the effectiveness. Always rinse the brush after use to keep it clean and store it in a clean receptacle, preferably on its own.

Mouthwashes are a good idea but only if the correct one is used. Many of those on the market now just provide a very nice taste, but the best ones to use are those that contain chlorohexidine, an antiseptic which is ideal for helping to prevent gingivitis (gum disease) and for keeping the mouth in a healthy condition.

It is essential to clean around the gum-line and in between the teeth to keep these areas free from bacteria-forming particles of food, especially sugars. Flossing is not always easy to do properly but is very effective if the right technique is mastered. For those who find it difficult, there are other tools available now which do the same job, such as interdental brushes or flossing sticks or tapes. Your dentist will show you how to use them to gain the maximum benefit.

Dental check-ups should ideally be carried out every six months; for patients who have no problems, a dentist may suggest yearly visits. At each routine appointment, your dentist will look at the entire mouth; he or she has been trained to look for the signs of oral cancers and other diseases and conditions and they will be able to refer anything suspicious to the relevant hospital consultant for further investigation.

The basic periodontal examination (the check-up itself) will involve the use of the dental mirror which enables the dentist to see all the areas and surfaces of each tooth; a probe will be used to test the gums for signs of gingivitis or incorrect cleaning and the patient will be advised accordingly. In the case of children, the dentist will be looking for signs that the teeth are growing correctly and, if necessary, will suggest orthodontic treatment i.e. the fitting of a brace to ensure correct alignment.

While dentists are the experts when it comes to care of the teeth, patients must take responsibility for themselves by following a healthy diet, keeping the intake of sugary foods and drinks to a minimum, cleaning the teeth regularly and attending all dental appointments.

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